Oslo City Hall is where President Obama directed the world’s attention to the wages of war as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize and he charted a courageous coarse for world citizens, nation states and institutions to take, to wage peace, which he said was our mission on earth to do.
Here’s some of the satellite broadcast of the President’s acceptance speech by SKY NEWS.
The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony began with the timely and dynamic musical improvisations of Esperanza Spalding.
Following the ceremony a “Wycletic” performance in honor of President Obama’s magnanimous achievement and acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize Award and responsibility:
Here’s the thing. US troops are scheduled to leave Iraq summer 2010, as promised.
Congressman John Robert Lewis at the 89th NCSS Conference in Atlanta
I have heard Congressman John Lewis speak many times over the years and I have always been left in a better place having heard him.
Just recently his urging members of Congress not to be afraid to be on the right side of history in passing Health Reform legislation, in part, spurred the House on in an historic vote in the affirmative..220 to 215. What he says and how he says it resonates.
And, today speaking at the opening breakfast of the National Council for the Social Studies Conference, this man called the Conscious of the Congress, out did himself.
Congressman John Lewis is more than a textbook. He is the living example of spirit triumphant over experience.
Clearly the experience of hate as he and others faced nearly fifty years ago as they confronted the evil of segregation could have left him bitter and broken. In fact he said he found it liberating to stand up for something that would make life better for all people. He said no longer are we (America) a divided house, but one house and one people. However he warned that we should never forget the sacrifice that it took to turn the country.
If it was only about experience, there would be no beauty in his story.
But, his story is about spirit. And, as we know, Spirit triumphs over matter.
I was there for Congressman Lewis’ presentation this morning. My report is that no visiter to this ocassion was the same after Mr. Lewis spoke. There wasn’t a dry eye among the people in the packed house of witnesses to history.
Tree leaves are dazzling this time of year across Georgia. Everywhere there are breath taking scenes to be photographed. It may be one reason that October in Georgia, especially in Atlanta, is celebrated as photography month.
Photography art exhibits have been set up for patrons of this fine art to get an eye-full of memorable works which capture many angles of a mere sliver of life, as it is and sometimes as we imagine it to be.
Photography art can be poetic, awesome, meditative, revealing, lovely, provocative, profound, cutting edge and enlightening.
Color's Edge
I love photography and so do many people. It is generally a long arduous process to be recognized and respected as a photography artist. It can be such a club affair. Yet, the art making can be individualistic and collaborative, universal and democratic and beyond limits. And, time in service matters greatly.
My Avatar Trade Instruments
I learned motion film photography first while pursuing a career in journalism, and then still photography in the early 70’s. The first gift of photography art that I received was a framed 1955 Photo by W. Eugene Smith entitled “Dream Street.”
Dream Street
Awe Inspiring. Priceless and to gaze upon the picture is not only to get a history lesson, but invaluable pointers into the integrity of light, an expression of truth. Here’s something to remember, “good and great photographers paint with light.” Smith was a master.
Cusp Summer and Fall
However the real intrigue about this elusive art form is not just merely aiming the camera, but being still and waiting for the moment to occur; the revelation; that sacred space that opens and points the shooter’s eye toward the thing, perspective or aspect to bear witness and then to share.
Fall Tapestry
Photography is art treasure. I invite you to invest in photography art by me, or another artist of your choosing. For sale today, silver 20×13 strip print, $400.00.
The President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, accepts the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize as a “call to action.”
The Nobel Committee release stated as follows:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.
Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.
Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.
For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world’s leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama’s appeal that “Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.”
Oslo, October 9, 2009
Inside perspective is given by Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjorn Jagland.
Wow.
Just because the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee caught America by surprise in naming President Obama this year’s winner it does not mean it isn’t deserved.
A protracted process is how this President goes about making crucial decisions.That’s not only refreshing but reassuring to those of us who believe you arrive at true understanding through process which rings large and is far more important than results at all costs.Results can wane, but a tried and true process can withstand the tests of time. This is what the Committee knows.
Step by step President Obama is changing the course of world politics of “My way or the Highway,” for one of inclusion…”Love thy neighbor as thyself.”That is real progress and a real process of knowing “thyself.”
Congratulations Mr. President on a noble achievement.
Chicago spared no expense in sending its first team to woo the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the honor to host the 2016 Summer games and Paralympics. The First family, Mayor Daley, Oprah Winfrey and others travelled to Copenhagen where the IOC gathered and spoke wonderful words of praise for America’s third largest and heartland city nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan.
The First Family in a demonstration that is encouraging, “try in the face of adversity,” laid out the plan:
From the heart the President and First Lady gave passionate reasons why Chicago is the best choice.
But, in the end the IOC eliminated Chicago in the first round of voting. The last American city to host the Summer Olympics was Atlanta, in 1996. Even in this current economic downturn, the Atlanta Region has not stopped building, much of that attributed to the growth spawned by an infrastructure and construction trajectory that led up to the games and beyond. Businesses from around the globe have relocated here. And yes, when Ambassador Andrew Young, visionary Mayor Maynard Jackson and entrepreneur Billy Payne proposed it many detractors appeared. Change is hard.
There are many lasting treasures. The one thing that keeps on giving is Centennial Olympic Park just across from CNN Center. Much of that park area was blight prior to the Olympics, abandon warehouses. Now the park, which is a favorite spot to visit for summer concerts and boasts a synchronized water-spray for kids and the young at heart, at Christmas–its a tour delight for its many lights. ALSO, development around the park has now taken off–the Georgia Aquarium, the largest indoor aquarium in the world is adjacent to the park, the Coca Cola pavilion has relocated there and there is talk of a Civil Rights Museum and maybe the voter approved new central library may find its new space there as well. As the former Chairman of the Atlanta-Fulton County Library Board of Trustees that notion/idea has my vote.
Get the picture.
Turner Field Home of the Atlanta Braves
I’ve only scratched the surface. The Atlanta Braves got a new stadium, Georgia Tech a new aquatic venue, Spelman College for women got a new tennis facility and the list goes on and on.
People came by the thousands. There is a joke by the locals that says they came and forgot to go home.
But no one can argue that the Atlanta region is not more vibrant because of the games. It certainly is more vibrant than when I came here at the beginning of CNN in the 80’s, another visionary enterprise that helped put the area on the map, and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has become the world busiest airport. Among other things such undertakings spells business and jobs. These are lasting endeavors that also serve national and world interests. Big ideas, good ideas have rewards. Yes, it is hard work and it takes collective effort/will to be successful.
It was the right call to “make no small plans” to seek the games. The groundwork has been laid for 2020 for “the city of big shoulders.” The grown ups may gripe and be political. But, the kids will LOVE IT.
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